Our View: Hefty and frequent fines are the only way to make our roads safer

A study of the Cypriot driver, presented to secondary school children by justice and public order minister Ionas Nicolaou, found him/her to be a bad driver, careless, dangerous, bloody-minded and with a tendency to ignore traffic rules. The study also found them to be inconsiderate, rude and selfish in the way they behave on the road. Younger respondents, commenting on road habits, noted the lack of respect shown by drivers to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
As regards habits during driving, Cypriot drivers admitted to using their mobile phones – both to talk and to send text messages – drinking, eating and smoking, while some women said they would put make-up on while driving. The youngest drivers (18-19 years) belonged to the high-risk group as their road behaviour was marked by excessive self-confidence about their driving ability, inexperience and no concept of danger; they committed the most dangerous traffic violations.
The study said nothing new or anything that was not known, but Nicolaou felt it was a better way to educate teenagers about road safety than through the customary lectures given at schools. The presentation of the study engaged students, many of whom took part in the discussion that followed. He believed that the new approach succeeded in conveying the right messages to the teenagers likely to drive dangerously.
While awareness campaigns at schools are necessary they will not make our roads any safer, just as national road safety campaigns have not markedly improved the road behaviour of drivers, which, according to the report remains selfish, dangerous and careless. Campaigns are quite clearly not enough and, at last, the government has realised this. Nicolaou said his ministry is in consultation with the attorney-general’s office about imposing harsher penalties on traffic offenders, including the confiscation of cars and the imposition of driving bans without going to court.
We doubt such measures can be introduced, but there are countless other things that can be done to make drivers comply with traffic rules. First, traffic cameras need to be installed on the roads as soon as possible. Second, fines for traffic violations must be increased and automatic bans imposed on drunk drivers. Third, more traffic policemen should be on the city roads – not just on highways with speed traps – issuing fines to drivers for violating traffic rules such us doing right turns where they are not allowed. Fourth, illegally parked cars should be towed away because they also make roads less safe.
Hefty and frequent fines plus the threat of a driving ban would soon improve the behaviour of the Cypriot driver. This may seem a harsh approach but it is the only way to make our roads safer, as awareness campaign, obviously do not work.

I do not wonder how the Cypriots drive. Yesterday they just got off the donkey! They are neither afraid of the (donkey) police nor of the traffic cameras “installed” everywhere on the island.

iuvcyprus

You know the Cypriot Police & Government made a big YAHOO about the introduction of Automatic Number Plate recognition cameras being fitted to Police vehicles. As the purpose of these instruments are to catch motorists who have no driving licence, insurance or MOT or are disqualified. What have we heard of since??? NOTHING. If they are going to use these facilities they must have the powers to confiscate the offenders vehicles at the time of offence, place them in a pound with a holding fee of 400-500 Euros + 30 Euros for each day thereafter. If they wish there vehicle returned to them they must produce valid documentation, ie driving licence, insurance, MOT to have their vehicle returned. If they do not do so within 30 days the vehicle is either sold by the Government ( monies to be used to improve Traffic management) or the vehicle is crushed. This system works very well in other European countries & take dangerous vehicle & drivers of the road. Education does work if you show what really happens to people who use mobile phones or do not wear seat belts. AND yes introduce a tow away scheme for inconsiderate unlawful parkers. I for one would happily drive that vehicle!!!!

gentlegiant161

European shock adverts on the dangers of texting and not wearing seatbelts while driving need to be viewed by the minister so he gets an idea of what is needed on TV and to be shown at peak times..
Expats should set examples by continuing to drive as they were taught, defensively and with spacial awareness….not attempt to race cousin lovers in their twin cabs or kids in buzz bomb cars…..
Keep using indicators, let people join in traffic from side streets even if they don’t have the manners to acknowledge you.
Slowly the message must filter through eventually.
I know it’s frustrating but it’s better to try than sink to the level you are trying to stay away from…
Expecting the police to be strictly neutral and deal an even hand to all on a small island isn’t going to happen …even the minister knows this.

xenonx

Ionas Nicolaou will never get his way because probably 90% of the offenders are locals who have got away with their lousy driving habits, certainly for the 20+ years I have been driving on the roads in Cyprus. The younger drivers, with something to prove, have seen the way their parents drive and are following in the family tradition. Unfortunately in this day and age virtually every one of them has a mobile phone they use while driving.

Mike

Nice to see at least that the Justice and Public Order Minister at least recognises the problem, its just so sad to know that nothing effective will be done about it.

Terryw45

We know what needs to be done, but it will not get us votes!

Neroli

Excellent! We know what to do, maybe we should take over the running of the country!

cypbychoice

The police really need to get a grip on mobile users, not only in the towns but also in the villages, it seems to me that people leave their houses and get straight on their mobiles , with such narrow roads as our villages have it compounds the danger even more.You can sit having a coffee outside our coffee shop in one hour the average number of people driving by on their mobiles averages 7 out of 10 including police cars.
To deter, the fines need to be way higher around eu500 the car impounded till fine paid. The same with parking, side lift tow trucks should be brought and used to impound the offending vehicles till fine paid.

Evergreen

The villages are the worst and no one to check these natives of the villages.
The increase in fine will never be helpful if police people keep on ignoring their relatives, their friends and kombarous.

Michael John

Stopping Distances need to be know by Drivers this will stop a lot of Accidents many people sit behind you around 1.5 m / 6 feet .
One day i was turning Right waiting for traffic to clear ,Behind me was a Driving Instructor on the phone + with a cigarette in the other hand , ‘ if that is a example what chance have other people got ‘.

gentlegiant161

The police need to place themselves near schools at times when parents are collecting the kids…many many of the cars will have kids bouncing around or no seatbelts on by any occupant or the driver on the phone….day in day out…and please don’t announce blitz checks in future, why are you stupid enough to announce a warning to offenders?

Reece Hadji

Like the government has enough money to tow every car that is parked illegally.It does not work in Cyprus !!

Gardash

Some thing Cypriot drivers have in common…….North and South.

Colin Evans

Yesterday I had to drive from Paphos to Nicosia and always keep very close to the speed limit. Apart from a couple of heavy waggons I overtook nobody. At one point there was a line of slower moving vehicles, headed by a lorry. I looked in my mirror, gave a signal and pulled out. A large BMW, who was a long way behind me came up flashing his lights and blowing his horn at me. I was doing 100 kmh. As a reward for his driving conduct he was kept behind me for some considerable distance.
Talking about driving bans is not the answer. They should be introduced with an automatic prison sentence for driving whilst disqualified.

Monica

I try to adhere to the speed limits …. and indicate, as per the driving codes.
I, too, have no problem with impeding the bullying tactics of angry followers on the road and agree with hampering their progress, until they calm down.

However, I do wish that the emergency vehicles only used their warning lights when ONLY on an emergency call-out.
Their overuse (showing “Cooee ! Look … I’m here 🙂 ” ) serves no purpose !
Any emergency vehicle, on a legitimate call-out, should be ‘given-way to’ … by law. ( Anyone in need of their services would appreciate that action).

Pc

In Cyprus, by law, police cars and other emergency service vehicles need to have their lights on. Once they also turn on their sirene, just like in other countries, does it indicate an emergency and you need to give them the right of way in all circumstances.

Douglas

Incorrect ‘Emergency lights and sirens are only to be used in an Emergency ,otherwise it can cofusion with the general public,simple as that 🙂

Monica

Agreed, Douglas !

EGB

Where does the quote beginning ‘Emergency lights…’ end – presumably not with ‘…simple as that:)’. Where does it come from in any case? Is it Cyprus law?

Douglas

Audible and emergency visual lights are fitted to all responding local authority emergency vehicles,they should only be switched on while responding to emergencies so that the general public give way and allow them to pass unhindered,simple as that 🙂

EGB

Is it Cyprus law? The lights are independent of the sirens so what is the reason for that? Do you really object to giving way to ambulances when they have cases that might or might not develop into an emergency?

Douglas

Emergency lights and audible sirens are designed to respond to emergencies only not for joy riding, hope you can digest that 🙂

EGB

They are two separate things than can be used in tandem, that is together in case you don’t get it, I hope you can digest that. Lights without sirens mean what in your world? You choose to believe just flashing lights are there just to annoy you, maybe you could accept that they’re just in a bit of a hurry to get to an incident or get to hospital and your assistance would be appreciated?

Douglas

I give up clearly you have no in-depth understanding of emergency responses and the required safety procedures involved 🙂

EGB

I asked about the law, not the depths of your wisdom.

Douglas

You need wisdom to establish sensible laws

Monica

Wrong … Pc !

EGB

Quote the law you’re so sure of. Agreeing with Douglas does not make you right.

EGB

I don’t know if it’s the law or not but if it’s an ambulance I give way on the motorway or make it easy to pass on the roads if I can.

Evergreen

Me too.

EGB

Imagine, a bully turned counter bully. Why am I not surprised. Have you just tried driving in the left hand lane when there is no reason not to?

Disruptive

It’s a middle eastern culture of selfishness and disregard for common good. It is shown everywhere, from throwing garbage on empty plots between houses, parking on sidewalks and blocking people’s paths to walk, to driving like maniacs with disregard to people lives.Enforcing any law will help very little until culture changes. In a generation or two (or ten).

Evergreen

True.

Introduction to civil laws and rules as well as a style of modern life has failed in changing the mind.It ‘ s really sad.

Mike

Who said Neanderthal man has evolved? Misguided academic I imagine.

JS Gost

Having driven from Limassol to Polis to see friends I must have seen at least 100 blatant offenses and probably many more hidden ones (no licence,MOT, Insurance etc). It has to be bleeding obvious to all, including those in charge, that rod users and society in general have total contempt for law/justice. The same offenders are the electorate and it is clear they do not have the common sense, wanting the current bonkers status quo to continue despite themselves, loved ones and Cyprus being at risk. Evolutionary!

EGB

Theoretically, according to Darwinism, the population should be much lower.

EGB

Maybe if people were prosecuted for using their main beam headlights routinely in town driving would be a bit easier. Clue to the police – it’s not difficult to spot.

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